Ilagan - History

History

The town was then called by its native Gaddang settlers as “Bolo” during the pre-Spanish conquest era. It is one of the populous settlement during that period and site of the vast Tobacco plantation in the region making it one of the most important economic areas in northern Luzon. Shortly after Juan de Salcedo conquered Northern Luzon in 1587, Gov. Rodrigo de Penalosa sent Capt. Pablo de Carreon to explore Cagayan Valley as well as to establish missions in towns. Among the Spanish Missionaries who penetrated deeply into the region was P. Pedro Jimenez, who founded Ilagan.

The town of Bolo was founded by the Dominicans in 1619 in honor of St. Ferdinand. The old Bolo was situated in the western side of Cagayan river in what is known today as barangay Naguilian-Baculod. The cultural shock brought by the dominating social and economic regulations introduced by the Spanish authorities propelled the natives to dissent in the Mallig and Ilagan-Tumauini territories in what was known as the Gaddang Revolution. The natives abandoned their settlement after burning their church and houses until 1622 when the Spanish government pardoned and exempted them from paying tribute within three years. After the Gaddang revolt, the natives reestablished their settlement upon the efforts of Fr. Pedro Jimenez in 1678 on the east side of the river thereby giving the legendary name for Ilagan which is the reverse of the word “Nagali” meaning “transfer”. The Dominicans accepted the settlement as an ecclesiastical mission given the name San Fernando de Ilagan in honor of its Patron St. Ferdinand.

In May 4, 1686, Ilagan was founded and missionaries converted the natives to Christianity. Ilagan was made the Capital of Cagayan Valley when Brig. Manuel Sanchez Mira was governor of the whole territory. Ilagan was the scene of the 1763 revolt in Isabela led by Dabo and Marayag against the collection of tribute, the enforcement of tobacco monopoly committed by the friars during the Spanish occupation. Upon the separation of Isabela in May 1, 1856, Ilagan became the capital of the province.

On August 4, 1901 the American occupation under the United States Philippine Commission has enacted the Provincial Government Act 210 that has reestablished Isabela and other provinces in the Philippines. Rafael Maramag, a former Municipal President (Mayor) of Ilagan was appointed first Governor. The act then re-established Ilagan as the provincial capital.

In November 13, 1925, Gaffud has approved a Resolution filed by all "Municipal Presidents of the Isabela" (the counterpart of the present-day Mayors' League) following a four-day convention. The resolution called for the erection of a monument in honor of National Hero José Rizal in the old Ilagan public plaza in barangay Bagumbayan. By the turn of the 1950s the new Poblacion was located uphill from the old St. Ferdinand Church (in Barangay Bagumbayan) to barangay San Vicente; site of the current Municipal town hall.